Print release to imaging device from mobile computing device

ABSTRACT

A system includes a spool directory accessible by a mobile computing device and an imaging device. A user selects for imaging on the imaging device a file accessible by the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device saves the file on the spool directory with a unique name. Upon the user accessing the imaging device for imaging, the imaging device generates a unique quick response code. The user captures the code with a camera of the mobile computing device and the code is used by the mobile computing device to rename the file on the spool directory. That the imaging device knows the quick response code, the imaging device accesses and prints the file on media for the user.

This application claims priority as a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.17/503,534, filed Oct. 18, 2021, having the same title.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to imaging devices, such as printers andcopiers, and mobile computing devices, such as smart phones and tablets.It relates also to printing on imaging devices files or documentsreleased from the mobile computing device. Embodiments of the inventioncontemplate print-release imaging without requiring sign-in orverification credentials. It is suitable in community and kiosk printingenvironments or other situations where users of the mobile computingdevice do not have immediate access to a dedicated or proprietaryimaging device. Computing applications, computing environments, systems,software, interfaces, methods and apparatus typify the embodiments.

BACKGROUND

Security challenges abound when printing images or documents incommunity or kiosk printing environments. One known challenge involvessecurely sending a print job or imaging request from a mobile computingdevice to a print server or cloud storage device and enabling users toretrieve the print job at any of the imaging devices in the community orkiosk environment. Traditional security schemes in this context involvethe credentialing of users by registering and outfitting them with asecurity badge or other device that becomes read by a hardware reader ofthe imaging device. Still other schemes require logging-in the user atthe imaging device with software or other username/password credentials.In either, dedicated hardware and or software support the imagingdevices and must be harmonized throughout the many locations of thecommunity or kiosk printers. Accordingly, the inventors recognize a needfor more efficiently and uniquely identifying and retrieve imagingrequests of users of mobile computing devices who seek imaging in acommunity or kiosk environment, especially without requiring externalhardware or security complexity. Additional benefits and alternativesare also sought when devising solutions.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned and other problems are solved within a system havinga spool directory accessible by a mobile computing device and an imagingdevice. A user selects for imaging on the imaging device a fileaccessible by the mobile computing device. The mobile computing devicesaves the file on the spool directory with a unique name Upon the userengaging or accessing the imaging device for imaging, the imaging devicegenerates a unique quick response (QR) code. The user captures the codewith a camera of the mobile computing device and the code is used by themobile computing device to rename the file on the spool directory. Thatthe imaging device knows the QR code, the imaging device accesses andprints the file on media for the user. Software, computing applications,executable code, interfaces, computing system environments, methods, andapparatus typify the embodiments. In any, a more flexible way ofexecuting mobile printing through community or kiosk printers isprovided. The simplicity and flexibility of the solutions herein alsomaintain security without dedicated hardware or requiring uniformity ofcredentialing users throughout the community of kiosk printers. Otheradvantages will be readily identifiable by those skilled in the art.

In various embodiments, method and systems include novel approaches of(a) tagging a print job or imaging request at a mobile computing deviceand (b) securely retrieving it using QR codes at an imaging device in acommunity or kiosk printer environment. More completely, the methodologyincludes using (a) hash codes to determine a directory name where aprint job is saved, and (b) using a QR code to allow the imaging deviceand mobile printing application on the mobile computing device tocommunicate how to securely retrieve the print job. An overview ofprocesses includes: 1) sending the print job to a spool directory usinga mobile print application (‘app’) on the mobile computing device; 2)generating a unique hash code with the mobile print app, wherein thehash code will be used as a unique name of the print job on thedirectory; 3) upon a user of the mobile computing device engaging theimaging device to retrieve their print job, generating a unique hashcode by a device application on the imaging device generates anddisplaying a QR code generated therefrom; 4) capturing the QR code by acamera of the mobile computing device and interpreting the QR code withthe mobile print app; 5) renaming the directory name by the mobileprinting app of the mobile computing device; and 6) that the imagingdevice knows the QR code, finding in the directory the newly renamedprint job. Requesting the print job from the directory and imaging it onmedia for the user occurs next.

These and other embodiments are set forth in the description below.Their advantages and features will become readily apparent to skilledartisans. The claims set forth particular limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a computing system environmentaccording to the present embodiments for configuring a mobile computingdevice for imaging operations;

FIGS. 2(a)-2(f) are diagrammatic views according to the presentembodiments for users of the mobile computing device to securely storecontent on a spool directory; and

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrammatic views according to the presentembodiments for users of the mobile computing device to retrieve onmedia their stored content from imaging devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings where like numerals represent like details. Theembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. The following detaileddescription, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense and thescope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and theirequivalents. In accordance with the features of the invention, imagingdevices have computing applications facilitating print release fromimaging requests of content, e.g., files or documents, originating frommobile computing devices.

With reference to FIG. 1 , users 5 need a quick response (QR) codereader 14 on their mobile computing device 16, e.g., smart phone,tablet, etc. The reader can be integral with or separate from a mobileimaging application, such as the mobile print application 15. Usersobtain the reader and application in a computing system environment 10having one or more service provider(s) 12 of mobile applications(colloquially “mobile ‘apps’”), as is familiar. The provider makesavailable the applications that users download onto their device 16. Thedownload resides as executable code on a computing device 18 such as aserver or imprinted on a computer readable medium 19 such as a CD, smartcard, USB stick, etc. Users retrieve the medium and load the applicationdirectly onto their mobile device or with assistance from still anothercomputing device (not shown). Alternatively, users execute a series offunctions on their mobile device and obtain the requisite code by way ofan attendant computing network 25. The network includes or not a varietyof software such as a website or an “app store” and hardware such asrouters, servers, switches, desktop/laptop computers, phone transmissiontowers, satellites, etc. The connections typify wired and wirelesscommunications between a few or many devices in an internet, intranet orother environment. Skilled artisans readily understand the process andthe requisite actions for downloading applications.

Upon successful receipt of the reader and application 14, 15, the mobilecomputing device 16 hosts computing modules thereof on one or morecontrollers 25 resident in a housing 17. The controller(s) also host anoperating system 21 and one or more additional mobile applications, asis typical. The additional applications also have functionality that canbe accessed, opened or otherwise utilized by the reader 14 andapplication 15. These include, but are not limited to, a web browser 23,camera 27, map or GPS device 29, photo album 31, device settings 33, andsecurity 35. Their functionality is known in the art. As examples, thesettings 33 include items such as a serial number of the mobilecomputing device and a system clock that the mobile print app 15 canutilize to generate a timestamp of requesting imaging and or generatinga secure hash, described below. The reader 14 and or application 15 canalso utilize the function of the camera 27 to capture QR codes and orthe map to 29 ascertain the whereabouts of community or kiosk imagingdevices for conducting printing or other imaging requests. The mobileprint app 15 can access the web browser 23 to create a document or imagefor printing on an imaging device. Skilled artisans can envision stillother functionality.

With reference to FIG. 2 , users launch their mobile print app 15 atprocess 2(a) by selecting it on their mobile computing device 16. Atprocess 2(b), users make a selection within the app to indicate contentmatter accessible by the mobile computing device for later release, byprinting 50 on an imaging device. The content is any of a variety, buttypifies a file, document, image, picture, photo, screenshot, website,or the like. At process 2(c), the app enables functionality on themobile computing device to find the content for the user. This includes,but is not limited to, searching the internet, accessing file folders,accessing photos in a library, taking photos, accessing email, accessingsms messages, taking screenshots, opening other computing applicationsand or accessing their data, etc. Once found, such as File 1, the userindicates their selection at 60. At process 2(d), the mobile print appgenerates a unique hash 70 (not seen by users of the app 15, but madevisible in FIG. 2(d) for illustration purposes) that will be used touniquely name 75 and securely store the content of File 1 on a printingspool directory 78 accessible by both the mobile computing device 16 andthe imaging device 200. The unique name is any of a variety, but someembodiments contemplate a unique character-based hash code (aaabbbcccddd. . . ). The hash code is generated in a variety of ways, but certainembodiments contemplate generating it from a timestamp of when the userselected 60 the content and or generating a hash based on a serialnumber of the mobile computing device, such as that accessible in thedevice settings 33 of FIG. 1 . Regardless, at process 2(e), the mobileprint app 15 next examines the uniqueness of the name 75 and whether ornot a hash already exists 80 on the spool directory 78. If so, themobile print app repeats the process at 2(d) and generates a new name 70and confirms again or not if it exists 80 until it is found to beunique. If not, the name is confirmed as unique and the content is savedunder that name at the spool directory at process 2(f). A confirmation90 is provided to the user of the app, including or not instructions toobtain the content from an imaging device at 100. The instructions canalso identify to the user a closest one or multiple nearby imagingdevices. Users can also provide an identifier, such as a store name, zipcode, etc. where they hope to retrieve their content and the app cansuggest a location. The user can also interact with the app in otherways, like times to retrieve their content, etc.

With reference to FIG. 3 , users approach the imaging device 200 toretrieve their imaging job. At process 3(a), users interact with a userinterface 210 of the imaging device and engage the appropriate computingdevice application 212 hosted on a controller C. The controller typifiesone or more (micro)processors, ASICs, circuits, etc. In this instance,the users select 215 the computing application ‘mobile print release’212 to request imaging of their content, earlier stored on the spooldirectory by the mobile computing device. At process 3(b), this causesthe controller of the imaging device to generate a quick response code240 for display to the user on the user interface. The code is generatedin a variety of ways, but the inventors contemplate generating a hashbased on a timestamp of when the user initiates the device application212 and or hashing a serial number 225 of the imaging device. Of course,other schemes are possible. Next, upon opening an instance of their QRreader or their mobile printing app 15 on their mobile computing device16, the quick response code 240′ is captured by the mobile computingdevice. The camera function 27 (FIG. 1 ) enables this aspect.

Once captured, the mobile computing imaging device determines whether ornot 250 there already exists a name on the spool directory 78corresponding to the quick response code. If so, the imaging device 200generates a new quick response code and the process repeats. If not, themobile computing device renames 260 the unique name 75 of the contentearlier stored on the spool directory 78 with another unique name 77corresponding to the hash embodied in the quick response code 240. Inthis way, because the imaging device knows the quick response code italready generated, the imaging device 200 can now find for printing thecontent corresponding thereto. Once renamed, the imaging device requests280 the renamed content and such is returned 290 to the imaging devicefrom the spool directory. The imaging device prints the content on media300 for hard copy pick up by the user.

The relative advantages of the many embodiments should be now apparentto those skilled in the art. Among them, a more flexible way ofexecuting mobile printing release is accomplished through community orkiosk printers. The simplicity and flexibility of this solutionmaintains security but does so without extra dedicated hardware orhaving each imaging device know security credentials of users.

The foregoing illustrates various aspects of the invention. It is notintended to be exhaustive. Rather, it is chosen to provide the bestillustration of the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize theinvention. All modifications and variations are contemplated within thescope of the invention as determined by the appended claims. Relativelyapparent modifications include combining one or more features of variousembodiments with features of other embodiments.

1. A method for imaging files on media of an imaging device, comprising:uniquely naming a file for storage on a spool directory accessible bythe imaging device; by the imaging device, generating a quick responsecode; and renaming with the quick response code the file stored on thespool directory.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including selectingon a mobile computing device the file for imaging on the imaging device.3. The method of claim 1, further including generating the quickresponse code after a user of a mobile computing device engages theimaging device for requesting imaging of the file.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further including capturing the quick response code with acamera of the mobile computing device.
 5. The method of claim 3, furtherincluding displaying the quick response code on a user interface of theimaging device.
 6. The method of claim 1, further including generatingthe quick response code with a timestamp corresponding to a time ofrequesting the imaging of the file.
 7. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding installing an application on a mobile computing device, theapplication said uniquely naming the file.
 8. The method of claim 7,further including selecting the file for imaging with the applicationinstalled on the mobile computing device.
 9. The method of claim 1,further including using a timestamp to said uniquely name the file. 10.The method of claim 1, further including receiving from a user of amobile computing device a selection for imaging of the file on theimaging device.
 11. The method of claim 1, further including verifyingby the imaging device whether or not the spool directory already has anaddress named with the quick response code.
 12. The method of claim 1,further including generating the quick response code with a serialnumber of the imaging device.
 13. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding configuring a mobile computing device to access a clock togenerate a unique hash for the uniquely naming of the file based on atimestamp of when a user of the mobile computing device accesses thefile for imaging on the imaging device.
 14. The method of claim 1,further including generating the quick response code with a serialnumber of a mobile computing device which accesses the file for imagingon the imaging device.
 15. The method of claim 1, further includingdetermining whether the spool directory has a duplicately named filecorresponding to the file.
 16. A method for imaging on media of animaging device files accessible by a mobile computing device,comprising: uniquely naming the file for storage for access by theimaging device; generating a quick response code by the imaging device;and renaming the file using the quick response code.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, capturing with a camera of the mobile computing device thequick response code on a user interface of the imaging device.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, further including selecting the file for imaging bythe mobile computing device.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thegenerating the quick response code by the imaging device furtherincludes using a timestamp from the selecting the file for imaging bythe mobile computing device.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein thegenerating the quick response code further includes using a serialnumber of either the imaging device, the mobile computing device, orboth.